The 14 best US airports for getting into the city during a long layover

Flight delays are as inevitable a part of air travel as crying babies and $2 doubles at the bar. And while we've already told you what to do if you get stuck at one of America’s 10 most delayed airports, sometimes you want to see more of the city than just the Terminal A Cinnabon.

But which city downtowns are easy to reach from the airport? Not all of them, that's for sure. Here are 14 major American cities that -- thanks to a nice, fast, traffic-free train from the airport -- make it easy to spend a long layover taking in the sights.

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Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson

What you’re taking: MARTA ('cause it's smarta) Red Line to North Springs or Gold Line to DoravilleWhere it goes: Five Points Station, the hub of the MARTA system, midtown, arts center, Turner Field, Buckhead (Red Line only)Where to catch it: Buy a ticket outside of baggage claim, then head to the far west end of the main terminalAverage time to downtown: 20 minutesWhat it’ll cost you: $2.50 per ride

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Dallas-Fort Worth

What you’re taking: DART Orange Line to Parker Road/LBJ CentralWhere it goes: University of Dallas, Downtown Dallas (West End, Akard, St. Paul, Pearl/Arts District) Cityplace/UptownWhere to catch it: Take the walkway from Terminal A to the DART station between International Parkway and the North Service Road.Average time to downtown: 50-60 minutesWhat it’ll cost you: $2.50 for a two-hour pass. $5 for a day pass.

Miami International

What you’re taking: Metrorail Orange line to Dadeland SouthWhere it goes: Downtown Miami (Government Center), Brickell, Shops at Merrick Place (Douglas Road), University of Miami, Dadeland MallWhere to catch it: Take the MIA Mover to the Rental Car Center, follow the signs outside and downstairs to the platformAverage time to downtown: 20 minutesWhat it’ll cost you: $2.25 per ride

Minneapolis-St. Paul

What you’re taking: Metro Blue Line to Target FieldWhere it goes: Mall of America, Warehouse District, Target FieldWhere to catch it: In the Lindbergh Terminal, take the tram to the transit center. The station is below the transit center between the blue and red parking ramps. In the Humphrey Terminal, go up one level from ticketing to the orange ramp skyway and follow the signs.Average time to downtown: 30 minutesWhat it’ll cost you: $2.25 per ride

Portland International

What you’re taking: MAX Red line to BeavertonWhere it goes: Rose Quarter, Pioneer Square, BeavertonWhere to catch it: Go to the lower level next to south baggage claimAverage time to downtown: 38 minutesWhat it’ll cost you: $2.50 per ride

Phoenix Sky Harbour

What you’re taking:PHX Sky Train to Valley Metro Light RailWhere it goes: The Sky Train takes you to the 44th and Washington Light Rail station, where you take the Valley Metro Light Rail to Tempe (Mill Ave), Downtown Phoenix (Washington Street and Central Ave)Where to catch it: The SkyTrain stops at Terminal 4, and in the East Economy parking lotAverage transit time to downtown: 33 minutesWhat it’ll cost you: The SkyTrain is free, the light rail is $2

Salt Lake City

What you’re taking: UTA TRAX Green Line to West Valley CentralWhere it goes: Utah State Fair (Fairgrounds), EnergySolutions Arena (Arena), Temple Square, City Center, Smith’s BallparkWhere to catch it: Go to the south end of Terminal 1Average transit time to downtown: 20 minutesWhat it’ll cost you: $2.50 per ride

San Francisco International

What you’re taking:BART Yellow Line to Pittsburgh/Bay PointWhere it goes: Downtown SF, Mission, Embarcadero, Oakland, Orinda, Walnut CreekWhere to catch it: Take the AirTrain from domestic terminals to the International TerminalAverage transit time to downtown: 30 minutes to downtown SFWhat it’ll cost you: Between $8.50 to get to Mission to $10.40 to Walnut Creek

Washington D.C. - Reagan National

What you’re taking:Metrorail Yellow line to Fort Totten or Blue Line to Largo Town CenterWhere it goes:Yellow: Pentagon, L’Enfant Plaza, Archives, Howard University. Blue: Pentagon, Metro Center, Smithsonian, L’Enfant Plaza, Capitol.Where to catch it: In Terminals B and C, walk through the pedestrian bridges to the station. From Terminal A, go outside and take the Airport Shuttle bus to Terminal B/CAverage transit time to downtown: 15 minutesWhat it’ll cost you: Between $2.15 (to the Pentagon) and $5.15 (to Largo Town Center)